Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 26: DeMar DeRozan #35 of the United States talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during a practice session at the 2018 USA Basketball Men’s National Team minicamp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 26: DeMar DeRozan #35 of the United States talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during a practice session at the 2018 USA Basketball Men’s National Team minicamp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

10. DeMar DeRozan under Pop

DeMar DeRozan wasn’t thrilled at first about the Raptors trading him to the Spurs in a package for Kawhi Leonard, according to David Aldridge of Turner Sports. He told ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes that he felt as though he wasn’t treated with “the respect that I thought I deserved,” based on “what I sacrificed for nine years” in Toronto.

But once the initial shock of the trade began to wear off, he began to see the upside in his new locale. Not only will he be reunited with Rudy Gay, who he played alongside for a brief stint in Toronto, but he’ll get to play for future first-ballot Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich.

“I’ve always been a fan of Pop,” DeRozan told Haynes. “There was just something about him from the way he ran his team, the way he coached, his credibility. Everything that stands out about Pop, you just have to love. So to have this opportunity to play with a legendary coach at this point in my career, I think it’s one of those blessings that’s in disguise because this is a cool moment to be with a guy like that.”

DeRozan worked with Popovich briefly this summer during Team USA minicamp, where he “talked about a little bit of everything” with his new head coach, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. The four-time All-Star told Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press that Popovich had “always showed me mutual respect that I definitely appreciated,” adding, “There have been times he’s told me things on the sideline about my game, that he was a fan and to keep working. Just to see things come full circle, for me to be in this position, definitely cool.”

DeRozan told Haynes that he has “the biggest chip on his shoulder ever” in the wake of the unexpected trade, which begs the question of what to expect from him this season in San Antonio. Under Popovich, he could be headed for a career year.